Marvin Leon Hoffler, (Capt. U.S. Navy, retired, ’79), entered the gates of heaven on Friday, March 18, 2016. He fought the good fight after suffering a stroke last June. He was born and raised in Sunbury, N.C. and accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age in Beulah Baptist Church. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church, Newport News, where he was a life Deacon. He served the Lord as a senior adult teacher, as well as numerous positions such as the leadership team, strategic planning committee, building and grounds committee, and the A team.

Marvin graduated from Sunbury High School in 1954 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He was proud to be a Tarheel. After college, he joined the U.S. Navy as an officer and started his military career in Newport, Rhode Island. As the co-pilot of an “AD-5 Skyraider” that was badly damaged on take-off from a carrier, he and two others walked away from a miraculous landing at Oceana on March 11, 1960. That event was forever etched in his mind. He completed a very successful 30-year career in the Navy and Reserves, and retired in 1988 as a captain.

Marvin worked at the Newport News Shipyard for 31 years of continuous service, and retired in 1993 as an Engineering Supervisor.

Marvin was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward Stanley Hoffler and Edna Virginia (Rice) Hoffler; his brother, Edward Staley Hoffler Jr.; and his first wife, Doralee Wood Hoffler. He is survived by his three dear sisters, Sally Ann Eure Hoffler, Charlotte, N.C.; Rose Hoffler Robinson (Gordon), Jacksonville, N.C. and Edna Louise Hoffler Ellis (Mallard), Raleigh, N.C. He is also survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Linda Thacker Hoffler, who was constantly by his side prior to and following the stroke; his daughter, Pamela Hoffler Charette (Brian), Harrisonburg; and his son, Edward Clayton Hoffler (Anne), Richmond. There are also four grandchildren, Suzanne and Aubrey Charette, and Will and Ben Hoffler.

Many thanks go to the staff of Willow Creek Convalescent Center, Smithfield, for the great care and love shown to Marvin during his stay there.

Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church Newport News, 12716 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606 or to Peninsula Rescue Mission, PO Box 377, Newport News, VA 23607-9983.

Family and friends will gather for visitation Wednesday, March 23, 6 – 7:30 p.m. in Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton. A Life Celebration service will be held Thursday, March 24, 11 a.m., in First Baptist Church Newport News, 12716 Warwick Blvd. Burial will be in Albert G. Horton Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Suffolk at 3 p.m. with Navy honors.
Service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, 14214 Carrollton Blvd, Carrollton. VA  23314. Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at www.colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.